Gardening with kids is a ton of fun. I can easily get overwhelmed in the seed and vegetable plant section at our local home improvement store. Ohhhh the choices of gardening! I am so thankful that we do have choices, but it is hard to decide WHAT I want to plant and then I need to choose how to get THAT plant in the garden. So when do you use seeds vs transplants?
When do I use Seeds vs Transplants
It seems that I end up with a combination split almost equally between using my own seeds that I have saved, seeds I have bought, and transplants.
The benefits of using seeds when gardening with kids is tremendous. The kids are able to put this tiny seed into the ground and see it emerge into an amazing plant that will feed them! A life cycle is born and kids are sucked into this process and completely fascinated by it. The kindergartners planted bush bean seeds several weeks ago and have reported their growth in inches to me daily.
Why would you use Seeds vs Transplants?
When to use Seeds
- Amazing to watch the seeds sprout
- low cost
- many varieties to choose from
- more organic and heirloom varieties available.
- Good for plants with long root systems (carrots)
- Best for plants that grow fast (radishes)
When to use Transplants
Transplants however come already started. Kids appreciate the earlier harvest and seeing their garden look full. Some harder to grow vegetables like tomatoes and broccoli may be your best option.
- When you are short on time
- To see fast growth
- To have something ready to harvest ASAP
As our school garden was gifted with some transplants, the children planted 3 different varieties of lettuce seed along side the transplants. We discussed the similarities and differences between the seeds and the transplants. The students were able to come up with that they are both the same type of plant, but one has been growing for a longer time. I buy seeds for the kids in bulk, so everyone will have opportunities to plant. Future lessons will include a comparison of different seeds and a comparison of different kids of lettuce. Affiliate links:
Click for more kids in the garden ideas:
Best Flowers to Grow with Kids by Kitchen Counter Chronicles
Best Vegetables to Grow with Kids by Becky
Deb Chitwood says
October 10, 2011 at 5:37 pmAwesome information, Amanda! I planted a flower garden with the kids when I taught but never had the chance to plant vegetables. I love your ideas! Deb @ LivingMontessoriNow.com
L. says
October 14, 2011 at 10:01 amThis is such a great idea–I'd love to do this with my son, although we're still figuring out just how exactly one is supposed to garden in the desert. 😀
Lovingmama says
October 14, 2011 at 11:09 amL – I love your ambition! Succulents? or maybe an herb garden inside? =)
Lori @ La-La's Home Daycare says
October 15, 2011 at 8:56 amI should have started a garden this year. But just never got around to it.
Bulk Vegetable Seeds says
January 26, 2012 at 10:45 amGreat post.Thanks for sharing such a useful information with us.